Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Tropicana

[Guest]

After much begging and pleading, my Cousin Tropi has decided to grace us with her presence in the Spotlight thread. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

I look forward to learning more about Tropi's spiritual walk and I have no doubts that she will be honest and candid.

Please give a warm welcome to our spirited Tropicana.

[Guest]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Tropicana

When did you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour?

Tell us about your church experiences. Did you grow up in the church?

Where are you today in your walk?

Are you involved with any ministries? If so, please share.

What would you say has been the most positive thing about being a Christian?

Would you recommend a relationship with Christ to non-believers? Why?

Do you have spiritual mentors?

Is there a special calling on your life? If so and you so desire, please discuss.

What are your Scripture reading habits?

How would you describe your prayer life?

How often do you pray?

Do you seek God’s direction in all aspects of your life?

Would you share a story about someone you've brought to Christ, if so?

Do you have an accountability partner?

What is your favourite book and why?

Do you listen to secular music? If so, what type?

Do you have a favourite gospel artist? If so, who and why?

What are the greatest struggles or obstacles that you face in your walk with Christ?

Do you ever have doubts or scriptual teachings that you have difficulty accepting?

What do you feel are your areas for greatest spiritual and personal growth?

[Tropicana]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Tropicana

Thank you for inviting me to participate in this Cousin Compry.

As you know, I believe in keeping it real. For some time now, I have decided not to be a paste on a plastic smile pretend that everything is okay kind of person. I don't think it does anybody any good and it sets people up for unrealistic expectations and disappointments. We ALL have struggles sooner or later. I think that if I can be honest about mine perhaps someone who is going through something similar can find encouragement by realizing that they are normal and that this too shall pass.

I hope that though my answers, people will see that we can all grow through valleys, even if we have been believers for a long time.

BTW, the word grow was a typo but I think it's BANG ON so it's a keeper!!

Here goes. I hope that people can accept and handle my honesty.

When did you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour?

I was 12 and it was at Bible camp.

Tell us about your church experiences. Did you grow up in the church?

Yes. I always attended church but my early church was not an evangelical church.

Where are you today in your walk?

I would say that I am more challenged in my walk than I have been at any time since become a Christian....now THAT'S being honest.

Are you involved with any ministries? If so, please share.

Other than the greeting ministry at my church, not at present. In the past, I have been involved in summer camp, children's and youth ministries. I have also co-facilitated Bible studies on occasion.

What would you say has been the most positive thing about being a Christian?

I would say that attending church, Bible studies, small groups, and conferences have helped provide a point of anchor through some difficult times. I am not in a small group or Bible study at present.

Would you recommend a relationship with Christ to non-believers? Why?

Yes I would because it is tough to get through the inevitable life challenges on our own.

Do you have spiritual mentors?

Yes an older Jamaican woman who I go to see sometimes more regularly than others.

Is there a special calling on your life? If so and you so desire, please discuss.

Definitely feel called to confront issues about racial injustice especially among believers.

Also, I have fought it for a long time but possibly some singles ministry for Black women.

What are your Scripture reading habits?

Not great right now sad to say.

How would you describe your prayer life?

Ditto.

How often do you pray?

I don't really have a structured prayer time right now but I certainly pray throughout the day and when in transit. LOTS of conversations with God right now. I kind of figure that prayer didn't seem to work in a couple of critical areas of my life so will it work now?

Do you seek God’s direction in all aspects of your life?

This is a tough one. I am having a hard time sensing his direction at this time. So much does not seem to make sense. For example, why have things not gone smoothly career wise. Also, and this is the biggie, why have I Twice had to go outside Christian circles to find love.

I did all the RIGHT things a Christian woman is supposed to do to find a Christian mate. It didn't work. I got kicked in the teeth over and over again and DEEPLY HURT . The last straws from which I have not recovered were:

- the guy who said he didn't find BLACK SKIN attractive after flirting with me and leading me on for MONTHS

- the guy who abruptly cut off communication with me as soon as I told him I was Black...he didn't even wait to see a picture - turned out (because he had sent me HIS picture) it was someone I knew albeit not well - he was posing off as this spiritually mature Christian and even involved in Bible camp, small group and short mission trip in AFRICA ministries. I confronted him. He stammered and sputtered. I have given him the cold shoulder ever since.

- the fact that I saw so many Christian men hooking up with women who dressed immodestly.... it appeared to me that they were being rewarded and I was being punished for faithfulness

- an event I organized where ALL the Black women including me were snubbed - without me there would never have even BEEN an event - I went home in tears

After that it was enough is enough. I am not going to put up with this humiliation ANY longer.

Would you share a story about someone you've brought to Christ, if so?

Well I will share about someone I influenced to come back to the Lord. It wasn't through preaching. She was raised in a Christian home but had completely fallen away and was even having an affair with a married man. I befriended her and was there for her. Eventually, I invited her to a Bible study when she was going through some tough times. She is SUPER on fire for the Lord now and was ministering to ME a couple of days ago and helping me put some things in perspective.

Do you have an accountability partner?

No.

What is your favourite book and why?

Hmmmmmm. I guess Blackaby's book Experiencing God. I guess based on my answers I am due for a re-read it right about now. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img] If anyone knows of a study group for Blackaby's group in the GTA, let me know.

Do you listen to secular music? If so, what type?

Oh yes, all types except rap, hip hop, dancehall style reggae, and country and Western.

Do you have a favourite gospel artist? If so, who and why?

Hmmmm. I like Cece Winnans. Judy Mowatt and Carlene Davis. I find these artists very uplifting.

What are the greatest struggles or obstacles that you face in your walk with Christ?

My biggest disappointment has been around racial issues and dating. It hurts that so many fellow belivers who are White discriminate against me and other Black people. It has been tough for me to accept.

I was naive. I thought it was just a matter of raising awareness. I had no idea how deep seated and deeply rooted some of this thinking is among evangelicals in North America.

I am really re-thinking evangelicalism. There is so much about it that is just plain unChristlike. Few evangelical preaches have had the balls to speak out about issues such as racism and sexism. In fact, I am going to post an article by Tony Campolo that raises some important questions. It should make for a fruitful discussion.

Has Evangelical Christianity Been Hijacked?

Do you ever have doubts or scriptual teachings that you have difficulty accepting?

This business of not marrying non-believers. I think that Black women in the Wetern hemisphere are in an untenable position when it comes to this. The choice comes down to marry a non-Christian or remain single as there just aren't enough partners to go around. This is fine for those who are content to be single....we aren't all of tha mindset.

Also, I am not sure if the Bible really teaches that God has a plan for our lives. (I would love some input around this one.) I don't know if that is really scriptural. There is the verse in Jeremiah but God was talking to Jeremiah. Not sure if this is universally applicable especially given the fact that some things that happen just don't make sense. I have had to "bend the rules" to get some of the things I want and to make some important things in my life happen (like finding and dating a man of quality). It really makes me wonder why this has been necessary.

I discussed this last aspect with the friend I mentionned earlier. I said that I really expected life and things to go a lot more smoothly. She said "You mean the whole planet down to the weather is in turmoil and upheaval. New Orleans and Bombay have been under water, there are wars, bombings, terroist attacks and you expect everything in your small corner of the globe to be smooth sailing? That's a tad unrealistic don't you think?"

What do you feel are your areas for greatest spiritual and personal growth?

Personally, I still have to work through some insecurities and I have a LOT of anger to work through.

Spiritually, I definitely have to get back to consistency in devotions and prayer but it's tough. Prayers in some key areas seem to have been unanswered and it makes it difficult to keep going back for more and to have faith that God is ultimately in control even when things don't make sense and don't seem to be happening.

I guess it all comes down to expectations. When our expecatations are unrealistic, that can lead to disappointment. I guess the main area I need to work on is having more realistic expectations of life and people. I think it is my expectations that have tripped me up both personally and spiritually.

We all go through our ups and downs. Our periods of strength, our periods of growth and our struggles. I am confident that I will pass through this valley as I have passed through others.

"Yeah though I pass through the Valley of Death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me."

[Guest]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Tropicana

Thank you so much (((Tropi))) for taking the time out to respond to the above questions. I knew I could count on you being open and honest about your Christian life.

Last night I had the opportunity to spend a time of fellowship and worship with a group of women which included managers, students, parents, married and singles. At one point during the sharing, I thought about you Tropi and thought how great it would be to have you there as I listened to all the different issues in the room.

In reading your responses, my heart goes out to you and you know that I wish only the very best for you. Two things that I noticed that I will touch on are your prayer life and studying the Word. You need to make radical changes in these areas and I'll tell you why.

The more you read the Word and the more you pray, the more you are building an intimate relationship with God. By building that intimate relationship you will then be able to rely on God for direction in your life and you will know that those directions are coming from God.

God speaks to us through His Word and through the Holy Spirit. The closer we get to Him the more we get to know who He is.

Think about your current relationship. In order to get to know him, you had to spend time with him and communicate with him. That is what God desires from you. Your time. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I know you think of me as one of those with my head in the sand. I am not. I realize that "Nothing Just Happens" (I love that term) and I know that everything that happened and will happen in my life is for a reason. I learn from each event or person and apply the knowledge as I move on with my life.

I love the fact that you know that you need to get back into a consistent devotional and prayer time. I would like to recommend Charles Stanley's Daily Devotional. I believe you know the website but just in case it's www.intouch.org. I would also like to recommend a book that I'm currently reading which has been a tremendous blessing to me. It is called Every Woman's Battle Promise Book. It is filled with encouraging words and scriptures. Of course I highly recommend the Bible. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Tropi, keep the faith and I have no doubt that God is going to grant you the desires of your heart....just remember to keep your side of the bargin and delight yourself in him.

Thanks again for your time.

[Guest]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Tropicana

Yes, this was definite honesty. I knew a little about your personal side before, but reading your candid answers will help me understand your other comments more clearly. Thanks (((Tropi))).

[WorshipRaiser]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Tropicana

Tropicana - oh Lawd. Mi a go pray fi you. As Compry said, stay in the Word and Pray to Him. It was thursday night I spent some extra time with Him, and I told HIM that I needed some instructions on how to deal with certain things in my ministry. As I was in His presence, right ina mi room, He spoke and I wrote. I didn't go back to my notes until this morning as I transfered the info to my palm pilot (nuttn fancy is a Sire 71 [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] ) and I was like, Lord??? YOU want mee to seh dem ting, and do dat? Yep. You bess believe He kept His promise.

Like Compry said, keep your side of the bargain by delighting yourself in Him. Please, I beg you to, and I promise you, He will send the Man for you. You won't have to go looking. The man will come. (I hope don't think I'm rude) but mi jussa hear you cry and wanna encourage you to press on.

[rudemonk]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Tropicana

amitabha.

[SistahD]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Tropicana

((((Trops)))))

[Guest]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Tropicana

Yeah (((Tropi))). [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[777]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Tropicana

it was really good to have u share Tropi..
and especially to do it so honestly..
Kudos to you girl...I like an honest person.
At least you know wheich side of the fence they are on, and their is no doubts as to what they are thinking..
I have to admit that I have always wondered about a couple of things, but now, listening, and u sharing have cleared up a lot.
I got a chance to see where you are coming from, and whats going on in your head at present.
Beleive me, whether or not you know it, u arent the only one struggling with some of the same issues.
Its just a pity that Saints of the most high in some churches dont share..
Its in sharing that u can lift some one up and encourage their hearts..
Be encouraged dear Tropi..
Be encouraged..in all things...
business, homelife, prayerlife, parent life..
The bible says that *never have I seen the righteous forsaken, or their seed begging for bread*
Just know that the Lord is around you 24/7 and he knows the secrets of your heart..
Just quietly trust and beleive.. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70365-flirt.gif[/img]

[777]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Tropicana

PS...
are we allow to ask questions too?
If so, let me start..

1. Describe your personality in your own words.

2. Are you a shy person by nature or not.

3. In regards to your christian outlook, how have u dealt with anger in the past. How have u channelled it..

4. What exactly do you do to encourage your heart and your spirit in rough times

5. Do you have daily walks/times with the Lord, and if so, what do you find mostly that you discuss with him

6. When are these daily times.

7. Your personal view of Christians and their outlook as you see it.

8. As a parent, how do u impart the love of God to your children/child

9. Do you attend church regularly. Is there a pattern that you have established. (an example, once a month, twice a month, etc)

10.Do you have a personal friend that is spiritually oriented. Or do u just have friends and or aquaintances?

If you could just be so gracious to answer.......tonks..
[img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Tropicana]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Tropicana

Wow, thank you for your words of encouragement everyone. As you know, there is always some risk in being honest. Sometimes the tendency in church circles is to put on our Sunday best and pretend that all is well with the world. Frankly I don't think that helps anyone. There is a lot wrong in evangelical circles and it is causing people to have doubts and stumble. We need to take a good, hard, long look at ourselves. I have been dialoguing with a friend of mine (White) who runs a Christian internet dating site. It is clear that he just doesn't get it when it comes to certain things. In a second I will share what I shared with him about anger.

Yes people can ask questions but I reserve the right to decline to answer some of them if I am not comfortable. Zeen?

I am heading off to church but I will answer one or two questions 777 and then fill in the answers to the others later.

And yes your prayers are GREATLY appreciated and WELCOME!!

1. Describe your personality in your own words.

Emotional, warm, sensitive, caring, opinionated.

2. Are you a shy person by nature or not.

I try to hide it but by nature, yes I am shy. I do better approaching individuals than groups. I am not shy to speak in front of an audience though.

3. In regards to your christian outlook, how have u dealt with anger in the past. How have u channelled it..

Interesting. For a long time I was not in touch with my anger. I experienced it more as sadness. I channeled it into things like writing. Spent a lot of time trying to distract myself from it by keeping busy.

Now I am getting better at expressing it. This board is a great outlet for me and has helped me in that respect. I think I have to put my anger in perspective though. As I shared with that friend I mentionned earlier (I haven't seen or spoken to him in a couple of years and we can spar and battle it out about stuff but we are still friends...oh I should give you the context. He was taking me to task for dating outside the church. We got to talking about anger):

"The fact that so many White men in the church are just plain racist and sexist is not MY problem. It's theirs. Why they feel the need to pick on people of other races is something a lot of White men need to explore? My anger is justified and I am not the only woman who is angry about this stuff. Why do you think so many people of colour are now rejecting Christianity in favour of the Muslim religion? Try talking to some of the Black and Asian men who some of these guys terrorized as boys. You think I am angry., you ain't seen NOTHING yet. I've talked to a number of them.

Baby, it's not MY anger you have to worry about. That should be the LEAST of your worries. Mine is but the tip of the iceberg. You've heard of 9/11 and the London bombings. Not justifying that level of violence for a moment but there
is a LOT of anger at White males in particular in this world and it is with good reason. One of the London bombers was Jamaican born like me in case you didn't know it. He was raised in the UK since 4 months old. There is another Jamaican born guy in jail in the UK right now for inciting people to violence. He is a Muslim Iman and he will be released from jail and deported to Jamaica
in 5 years. People don't get why homegrown terroists exist. I GET it. I don't support it but I get it.

Did you see the documentary on TV last week about the 3 kids raised in Canada who joined Al Queda? One was Palestinian born, one was African born and the other was from Saudi Arabia. These are kids who were raised here, went to school in predominantly White neighbourhoods, etc. If they have been susceptible to this degree of hatred that they would commit such violent acts,
people better stop and think LONG and hard about the reasons. "

If people are angry it is usually for a good reason. Of course there are appropriate and inappropriate methods of expressing it. Now that I am finally in touch with my anger, I will need to continue to figure out the best way to express it.

4. What exactly do you do to encourage your heart and your spirit in rough times?

Listen to music, it helps. Go for walks or ride my bike...need to do more of that. Small groups and Bible conferences have helped me in the past as did prayer and scripture reading.

5. Do you have daily walks/times with the Lord, and if so, what do you find mostly that you discuss with him?

When I lived in the country I used to have LONG walks and pray and cry out to God during those walks. When I returned from those walks, I immediately felt the desire to have devotions and I did. Since leaving the country setting, it hasn't been as easy to incorporate walking into my routine. Guess I need to get back to it for both physical and spiritual fitness.

What did I talk about? Based on my posts you can probably figure it out. Challenges with men in the church accepting me for who I am. Business challenges. Prayed for my son of course. Guidance about important decisions.

6. When are these daily times.

I used to do this as soon as I dropped my son off at school. I was in a perfect setting for this. Right in the country. Also, at that time I didn't have to put so much focus on business development. Economic times have changed and I guess I have let that distract me too much.

7. Your personal view of Christians and their outlook as you see it.

This is a tricky one. Some Christians GET IT as far as social, international and global issues. I can think of people like Tom Skinner, who I haven't heard a peep our of in years, Tony Campolo, Billy Graham, my pastor, and Bruxy Cavey who is a popular teaching pastor up here.

I do think that many White evangelicals don't GET IT in terms of some of the global dynamics. Church is far too often like a country club. You are in or you are out. If you're Black in some churches you are either out or only accepted so far and no further.

In terms of Black evangelicals, some seem reluctant to address racial issues and challenge racial discrimination in the church. Maybe they are afraid that it will turn people off to the cause of Christ if the true state of affairs is revealed. I got news for them. People already know. Others fall into denial as they don't want to confront issues that are too painful. It's all most of us can do to keep our head above water, support our families etc. Why open Pandora's box?

8. As a parent, how do u impart the love of God to your children/child

Through experience, spending time with him. I started reading the Bible to him at an early age. I have always taken him to church and Sunday School. He has his own devotions now....which reminds me, he needs a new devotional book. I have never side stepped racial issues when talking with him or the fact that all Christians don't "walk the talk" when it comes to TRULY and FULLY accepting people of other races. Still there are some things he doesn't get like the whole New Orleans aid thing. He really doesn't get that race had anything to do with the delay in getting aid to people, for example.

9. Do you attend church regularly. Is there a pattern that you have established. (an example, once a month, twice a month, etc)

Every week. I am not in a Bible study or small group right now but that is usually part of what I do too.

10.Do you have a personal friend that is spiritually oriented. Or do u just have friends and or aquaintances?

I have some friends who are believers and some who are non-Christians. I also have a lot of acquaintances both Christian and non-Christian.

[Guest]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Tropicana

Beleive me, whether or not you know it, u arent the only one struggling with some of the same issues.

(((Tropi))), I mentioned the lady's night out on Friday because despite the various type of women represented in the room, we all have things that we are struggling with.

Should a Christian female or male tell you that they do not have issues....it's a lie or they are so full of themselves that they cannot admit to it.

One more recommendation: [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Find an accountability partner. Make sure this person is spiritually strong and someone who will be able to tell you the truth at all times, in love.

Blesssings Tropi.

[Tropicana]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Tropicana

thanks Cuz [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Tropicana]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Tropicana

As a follow up to one of my earlier answers. Now you tell me how I am supposed to worship, have peace in my heart and fellowship when the people sitting beside me in the pew have attitudes like this:

......you have been talking about white men who don't fancy black women (or Asians, etc.) to date, therefore (according to you), they are racist. This is nonsense. By that standard, I am racist (mostly). Black women don't do it for me (sorry - mixed perhaps). Neither do most Asians (the odd Filipino or Thai does, but Chinese or Japanese or Korean, no way). Hispanics do (for the most part). EDIT , obviously ;-) (mind you, what guy doesn't like EDIT ? Or EDIT , for that matter?).

Tropicana: Don't want to reveal the ethnicity of his wife.

However, by-and-large, I am attracted to white women. I guess I am a raving racist, by your standards.

Let's just kill all EDIT , while we're at it. Oops, sorry, that slipped out, forget I said it;-)

If I was single and someone wanted to set me up on a blind date, I wouldn't be as interested (if at all) if she was black. By your standards, that makes me racist.

This from someone who is supposed to be my friend and who I have known for about 10 years. A born again CHRISTIAN who runs a Christian web site. Now you tell me how YOU would handle it if you received an e-mail like that.